Special to WorldTribune.com
GAZA CITY — Hamas has provided fresh details of its new paramilitary force in the Gaza Strip.
Hamas said its new Popular Army was being trained to battle Israel and expel Jews from Jerusalem’s Temple Mount. Hamas said the first stage of the Popular Army would be the recruitment of 2,500 fighters.
“This is the first stage of the Popular Army for the liberation of Al Aqsa [Temple Mount] and Palestine,” an unidentified Hamas military spokesman said.
The new force was highlighted at a ceremony at the Palestinian refugee camp of Jabalya north of Gaza City on Nov. 7. Speakers urged the crowd of several thousand to join the Popular Army and participate in the next Islamic war against Israel.
Hamas began recruiting for the Popular Army immediately after the 50-day war with Israel, which ended on Aug. 26. Palestinian sources said Hamas representatives mobilized young men from mosques throughout the Gaza Strip, starting with Gaza City.
At first, Hamas said applicants must be at least 16 to join the Popular Army. But in Jabalya Hamas representatives said the minimum age was 20.
At the ceremony, Hamas said its military was rearming for another war with Israel. A Hamas operative told supporters that the movement was rebuilding infrastructure as well as producing missiles and rockets.
“The people, the weapons and the tunnels are proceeding well,” the operative said.
Hamas recruits young Palestinians for new ‘Popular Army’ added by World Tribune on
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